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  • A Woman of No Importance

  • The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II
  • Written by: Sonia Purnell
  • Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
  • Length: 13 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (86 ratings)

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A Woman of No Importance

Written by: Sonia Purnell
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
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Publisher's Summary

A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER

Chosen as a BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR by NPR, the New York Public Library, Amazon, the Seattle Times, the Washington Independent Review of Books, PopSugar, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, BookBrowse, the Spectator, and the Times of London

Shortlisted for the Plutarch Award for Best Biography

“Excellent.... This book is as riveting as any thriller, and as hard to put down.” (The New York Times Book Review)

"A compelling biography of a masterful spy, and a reminder of what can be done with a few brave people - and a little resistance." (NPR)

"A meticiulous history that reads like a thriller." (Ben Macintyre)

A never-before-told story of Virginia Hall, the American spy who changed the course of World War II, from the author of Clementine

In 1942, the Gestapo sent out an urgent transmission: "She is the most dangerous of all Allied spies. We must find and destroy her." 

The target in their sights was Virginia Hall, a Baltimore socialite who talked her way into Special Operations Executive, the spy organization dubbed Winston Churchill's "Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare." She became the first Allied woman deployed behind enemy lines and - despite her prosthetic leg - helped to light the flame of the French Resistance, revolutionizing secret warfare as we know it.

Virginia established vast spy networks throughout France, called weapons and explosives down from the skies, and became a linchpin for the Resistance. Even as her face covered wanted posters and a bounty was placed on her head, Virginia refused order after order to evacuate. She finally escaped through a death-defying hike over the Pyrenees into Spain, her cover blown. But she plunged back in, adamant that she had more lives to save, and led a victorious guerilla campaign, liberating swathes of France from the Nazis after D-Day.

Based on new and extensive research, Sonia Purnell has for the first time uncovered the full secret life of Virginia Hall - an astounding and inspiring story of heroism, spycraft, resistance, and personal triumph over shocking adversity. A Woman of No Importance is the breathtaking story of how one woman's fierce persistence helped win the war. 

©2019 Sonia Purnell (P)2019 Penguin Audio

What the critics say

"[An] excellent biography...if Virginia Hall herself remains something of an enigma - a testament, perhaps, to the skills that allowed her to live in the shadows for so long - the extraordinary facts of her life are brought onto the page here with a well-judged balance of empathy and fine detail. This book is as riveting as any thriller, and as hard to put down." (The New York Times Book Review)

“Purnell’s writing is as precise and engaging as her research, and this book restores overdue attention to one of the world’s great war heroes. It’s a joy to read, and it will swell readers' hearts with pride.” (Booklist

"A gripping take…a compelling biography of a masterful spy, and a reminder of what can be done with a few brave people - and a little resistance.” (NPR.org)

What listeners say about A Woman of No Importance

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No issues with EXCELLENT narration!

Well written and researched. Enjoyable listen. WWII agents(whether OSS or SOE), behind enemy lines are my absolute favourite listens(Reads!). Juliet Stevenson does a fantastic job with this complex, at times material. Virginia Hall was courageous and resourceful, as well, as relentless in her drive to get the job done. Really captivating listening, as the Gestapo and Vichy Police were hard on her heels the entire time. I do agree with other reviewers that accents are usually hard to listen to and add very little to these great stories. eg. We all have seen newsreels of 'Winston' speaking and don't need a narrators interpretation. That being said, as a musician I listen carefully to the narrators voice before I decide. Juliet Stevenson gets a 10+ in my opinion for her reading here. Highly recommended. - Ron L.

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Fabulous Story

This is the most interesting book I’ve ever encountered. Well worth your time. You won’t be able to stop listening! Betsy, Vancouver, Canada.

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Women of Intrique says it all.

I really enjoyed this book. it was nice to read about female informative instead of men. A whole new skill set for women.

the discrimination she when thru her whole career is no different that women go through today.

I love the narrator.


Happy Listening

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Stunning!!!

Seriously, one if the best books I’ve listened to in years! This woman was an example to us all.

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Amazing lady!

Ms Hall was a trailblazer for her time and her valuable contributions for the Allies saved lives. This is an engrossing and true story but the listener will find that after the war she was often “passed over” for assignments and promotions because of her gender.

While I was utterly amazed at Virgina’s accomplishments, the story “glosses over” her later years, but, nonetheless, this is an amazing story and accomplishment of a true pioneer of spies from the Second World War.

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  • LK
  • 2022-10-19

A more suitable title would be…

A woman of great importance but lost because she was a woman fighting for a foreign country during WWII when she was expected to stay at home marry and have children. Highly intelligent women had few venues to express their talents.
I strongly recommend this detailed historical account of a great woman’s life.

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Absolutely outstanding

I have read many books about WWII espionage and this is one of the best. I noticed that Ben MacIntyre (the author of many of those) has endorsed Purnell’s book… nice!
Exceptionally well researched, so much so that the stories told really came alive. Super impressed by this female agent, so determined to work behind enemy lines. Courageous, tenacious and resourceful, she was absolutely brilliant !

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A Woman of Great Importance

an incredible story of a woman of great courage, intelligence, integrity and leadership. Demeaned and disrespected by lesser people.

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Virginia Hall

We still live in a sexiest world and the incredible achievements of women in all fields is under minded as it’s a threat to men’s need to dominate.Virginia was an incredible American journalist who was unmatched as a spy and defender of the French resistance during World War Two. her legacy lives on and the lessons learned are still used today if only men listened and not threatened by female superiority.she was one of a kind and I am grateful to hear her story.

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An exceptional recounting of an exceptional woman.

An awesome, well told story of an exceptional woman. I highly recommend, you won't regret it if you are interested in WW2 history of espionage.

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